Although rural Canada's population is generally older (median age 42.1) than the population of urban Canada (median age 38.9), rural remote areas in Territories are much younger (median age 27.6) due to an increasing Aboriginal population with higher fertility rates.

Youth continue to out-migrate often to pursue post-secondary education and jobs.

Between 2001 and 2006, approximately 28% of the youth population (15-19 years) migrated out of rural Canada. In the most rural and remote areas (excluding the territories), 34% of youth out-migrated between 2001 and 2006.

Youth out-migration is in response to many factors such as availability of jobs in rural and urban areas, the desire to pursue post-secondary education, etc. Many of these youth move back to rural as young adults after school to start businesses and families.